External Expectations Research Articles

Implementation of Guidelines for Food and Meals in Kindergartens: Perspectives from Norwegian Kindergarten Staff

AbstractEstablishing dietary food habits in the early years is crucial. Kindergarten is a significant public health arena that can foster healthy eating habits regardless of socioeconomic status. In Norway, 93.4% of children aged 1–5 years attend kindergarten, and since most of their daily food intake is in kindergarten, it is important to make healthy food available. National guidelines on food and meals in kindergartens encourage kindergartens to engage in food and meal practices that promote health, well-being, development, and learning. Despite the guidelines, food and meal practices in kindergartens are highly varied, and implementation of the guidelines is lacking. To understand the challenges in implementing the guidelines, we conducted semi-structured interviews with sixteen staff representing sixteen kindergartens throughout Norway. Both public and private kindergartens were included. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and content analysis was performed. The analysis identified three primary themes reflecting staff perceptions of challenges in implementing the national guidelines: priority and structural work with food and meals, pedagogical approach to food and meals, and external expectations and social pressure regarding food and meals. The themes were seen in light of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research in the discussion. While external conditions, including municipal prioritization, external expectations, and social pressure, play significant roles, our findings suggest that the most substantial influences on implementation are internal factors, particularly leadership and individual factors.

Impact of Disease Cyclicity on Quality-of-Life Impairment – A Mixed Method Explanatory Study

BackgroundDisease cyclicity, a composite measure of unpredictable and daily fluctuations of symptoms, strongly predicts quality-of-life (QoL) impairment. ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms by which cyclicity impacts QoL. Methods1:1 semi-structured interviews were conducted and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory. Common themes were identified and used to derive a theoretical framework. Results23 adults, (median age 28.5, range 20-72) with a range of chronic inflammatory diseases including eczema, psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis were prospectively recruited. Cyclicity, characterized by unpredictability, uncontrollability, and lability, contributed to a varying productivity and inconsistent ability in performing daily activities. Challenges intensified if external expectations of the patient were inconsistent with their fluctuating ability. Coping abilities, shaped by internal and external factors, moderated the relationship between cyclicity and QoL impairment. LimitationsQualitative interviews assume patients have accurate insights into their own behaviours. The generalizability of findings may be limited in other populations. ConclusionDisease cyclicity defines many inflammatory diseases. This study provides a theoretical framework for understanding and managing the challenges patients with a cyclical condition face.

From seller to broker: When and how issue sellers engage with external stakeholders to sell issues inside organizations

Issue sellers employ a variety of tactics to create internal support for issues they seek to advance within an organization. While the relationship between internal issue “sellers” and “buyers” has been examined in prior work, we address a crucial omission in this body of literature, namely how issue sellers engage with external stakeholders to influence internal issue selling. We study corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers, their organizational counterparts who are expected to implement CSR, and external stakeholders (in our study non-governmental organizations). We find that issue sellers have three issue-selling tactics at their disposal that they employ dynamically and depending on internal buyers’ perception of the issue: First, mobilizing external stakeholders when internal support for the issue is low; second, buffering external expectations when they are incongruent with internal requirements; and third, moderating between external stakeholders and internal buyers when issues are difficult to implement. Our contribution is to explain why issue sellers’ role vis-à-vis internal buyers and external stakeholders can be better understood as that of “issue brokers” when they navigate strategically between external stakeholder expectations and organizational goals. This advances the issue-selling literature and research on brokerage roles and contributes to individual-level research on CSR.

Sharing and Allocation in Preschool Children: The Roles of Theory of Mind, Anticipated Emotions, and Consequential Emotions.

This study investigates the impact of theory of mind, anticipated emotions before actual behavior, and consequential emotions following the behavior on sharing and allocation behavior in 4-6-year-old children. In Experiment 1, 95 children were randomly assigned to three conditions (external emotion expectancy condition, internal emotion expectancy condition, and control condition) to explore the role of cognition and emotions in children's sharing and allocation behaviors. Experiment 2 employed a dictator game to further validate the influence of theory of mind and consequential emotions on behavior. The findings indicated that both anticipated and consequential emotions influence sharing behavior, but neither serves as a key predictor of allocation behavior. Theory of mind influences children's sharing behavior and is related to the fairness of allocation. Children with higher levels of theory of mind tend to rate consequential emotions more positively, while those with lower ratings of consequential emotions are more likely to reconsider sharing after reflection. Notably, theory of mind and emotional factors demonstrate distinct motivational effects on children's prosocial sharing and resource allocation, with negative emotions exhibiting a more pronounced impact on decision-making processes.

Classification of Environmental Strategies by Corporations

The current study aims to develop a framework for corporations’ classification of environmental strategies. Stakeholder theory and institutional approach are used to identify internal and external pressures that organizations face regarding environmental response. Based on the review of the literature, different classifications of environmental strategies were identified. A holistic matrix of corporate environmental response is developed on a continuum of low to high pressures from internal factors and external factors. The classification of environmental strategies based on internal and external pressures illustrates the complexity of organizational responses to environmental challenges. Companies can adopt a mix of proactive, compliance-oriented, and hybrid strategies to address both internal goals and external expectations effectively

Dynamic Adjustment: The Transformation of Trilateral Relations between China, the United States and Latin America (1949-2023)

This paper examines the transformative dynamics of the trilateral relationship between the United States, China, and Latin America from the 1950s to the present. Through the lens of national role theory, it explores how the national roles of these actors have shifted in response to geopolitical, economic, and ideological changes. The study is structured chronologically, analyzing distinct periods that mark the evolution of this trilateral dynamic. It delves into the historical evolution of roles and interactions, policy shifts, and strategic calculations to offer insights into the complexities of trilateral relations. The paper contributes to the literature by highlighting the interplay between self-perceived national roles and external expectations, and it provides a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating the multifaceted interactions between the US, China, and Latin America. The research aims to enhance understanding of the broader geopolitical trends and regional dynamics that have influenced the trajectory of these relations, offering implications for global politics, regional stability, and economic development.

THE ISSUE OF GIFTEDNESS IN PSICHOANALYTIC-PEDAGOGICAL STUDIES

The article presents the ideas of several psychoanalysts regarding the formation, diagnosis, and development of child giftedness. Contradictions in the views on the development of giftedness are identified, particularly among representatives of experimental psychology, behaviorism, and psychoanalysis. It is noted that the greatest contributions to the study of giftedness were made by S. Freud, his daughter A. Freud, and her follower H. Hartmann. Specifically, H. Hartmann emphasized that there are three philosophies of education within society: 1) adapting the child to the realities of the world; 2) preparing the child for future activities; and 3) shaping educational goals based on past societal ideals.The article also examines the unique experiences of gifted students and how educators and psychologists respond to potential conflicts between gifted children, their peers, and parents. For the first time, the specific psychological complexes observed during the learning process are discussed. In particular, the article explores the God Complex, Jonah Complex, and Prometheus Complex.The conclusion suggests that the development of child giftedness often becomes an obsessive pursuit for parents, who may seek to fulfill their own ambitions and dreams through the child. As a result, instead of understanding that the world is imperfect, the child attempts to fit their new identity into an “ideological model” of adult life, conforming to external expectations and role demands.The article outlines prospects for further research into psychoanalytic pedagogy, particularly in developing pedagogical technologies that engage the deeper structures of the psyche and the unconscious. It is emphasized that such technologies can promote the child’s self-knowledge and self-realization.

“There is a life before and after cancer”: experiences of resuming life and unmet care needs in stage I and II melanoma survivors

Although the largest increase in melanoma incidence is observed for localised melanoma, little research has been done on its impact. Despite favourable prognoses and relatively short treatment trajectories, diagnosis and treatment may significantly impact life post-treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of stage I and II melanoma survivors’ experiences resuming life after treatment and their associated survivorship care (SSC) needs. A qualitative focus group study was conducted with 18 stage I or II melanoma survivors, divided over three focus groups with 6 survivors each. Transcripts were analysed through thorough thematic content analysis, using multiple phases of coding. In resuming life, survivors experienced profound initial impacts of disease and treatment, fed by a perceived lack of knowledge and underestimation of melanoma. They faced unexpected physical and emotional effects post-surgery, experiencing mixed feelings from relief to fear and uncertainty. Survivors felt misunderstood, had to adjust their lives, and managed personal and external expectations while experiencing a positive shift in life perspective, leading to a notable difference in life before and after cancer. In terms of SSC needs, survivors stressed the need for tailored information, accessible resources, patient-centered follow-up, and supportive care addressing the total impact of disease and treatment. These findings highlight the importance of improving melanoma awareness and providing holistic SSC not only to advanced, but also to localised melanoma survivors. A tailored survivorship care plan could facilitate access to information and supportive care, helping patients resume their lives.

Identities of Non-English-Dominant Teachers-In-Training: Alignments and Tensions

ABSTRACT This study examines how non-English-dominant English language teachers-in-training who undertake transnational language teacher education represent their language teacher identities (LTIs) in terms of four facets: claimed, assigned, practised, and imagined identities. It examines the alignments and tensions between and within these facets of LTI. Photo-elicitation data was collected from 10 non-English-dominant teachers-in-training who were international students undertaking language teacher education in Australia. Through a qualitative content analysis, seven representations of LTIs were identified across the four facets of LTI: knowledge transmission, learner-centredness, nurturing, teachers as learners, English experts, teacher dispositions, and professional uncertainty. Although alignments between these facets of LTI were identified, tensions within and between the facets of LTI tended to figure more prominently in the LTI representations of the teachers-in-training in this study. These tensions appeared to emerge from discrepancies between professional aspirations and external expectations. The study has implications for raising the awareness of teachers-in-training and their ability to reflect on teacher identities.

Does academic stress predict nursing students' healthy and unhealthy behaviour?

The study aimed to examine the effect of academic stress on the healthy and unhealthy behaviour of nursing students. To gain more understanding of the concepts, literatures were reviewed. The study used descriptive assessment and correlational research design. The population of the study was 228 nursing students of the Divine Word College of Laoag. The questionnaires were used to gather the data and weighted mean and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to analyze the data. The study found that the academic stress of students was high and healthy behavior was also high. While unhealthy behaviour was low. In terms of the correlation between academic stress and healthy behaviour, the results signify that taken together the three dimensions (external pressure and expectations, course requirement overload and examination, and self-efficacy) are not associated with healthy behaviour. However, taken separately, academic stress related to self-efficacy significantly influenced healthy behaviour. Higher self-efficacy predicts higher healthy behaviour. Further, concerning the correlation between academic stress and unhealthy behaviour, the finding reveals that both are significantly correlated. It means higher academic stress leads to unhealthy behaviour.

Sustaining the brand and branding sustainability: landscape as homeland in Greenland’s visual marketing

Arctic destinations are continually reshaping their global identities to manage external expectations about the region. Existing portrayals of Greenland often stereotype the area as untouched wilderness or oversimplify its social, economic, and cultural realities. Our study combines visual analysis of cultural landscape and cultural ecosystem services (CES) to unveil a novel narrative in Greenland’s sustainable tourism branding we termed ‘landscape as homeland’. Empirically this research is based on the photographic database of Greenland’s national destination marketing organization. We explore Greenland’s destination branding as a strategic tool to define local meanings of sustainable tourism, homeland, and “Arcticness” in a branding that distinctively positions itself amidst Arctic destinations. Using pictured landscape as a dwelling place discerns locally valued CES, and realigns tourist engagements toward a culturally and ecologically integrated relationship. Applications of these findings extend to other rapidly changing regions seeking to expand economic opportunities, harnessing the synergy between destination branding and sustainable tourism. We reflect on the efficacy of our integrated CES and cultural landscape research to reveal local framings of the tourism-sustainability tension. We highlight the role of destination marketing organizations to bridge the gap between local identity, visitor expectations, and sustainable tourism development.

Academic Stress, Its Sources, Effects and Coping Mechanisms Among College Students

Aims: This article aims to review academic stress, its sources, effects and coping mechanisms among college students. Background: Stress has become part of students’ academic life due to the various internal and external expectations placed upon their shoulders. It therefore, becomes imperative to understand the sources and effects of academic stress. Academic stress refers to the emotional and physical strain experienced by students as a result of the demands and pressures of academic life. This stress can stem from various sources such as the pressure to perform well academically, the competition for grades and recognition, and the expectations set by peers, family, and society. Stress is always regarded as a psychological process that involves an individual’s personal interpretation and response to any threatening event. Coping is an important predictor of stress among college students. Individual used coping mechanisms to manage their stress and negative emotions. The way students cope with stress can have a significant impact on their stress levels and overall well-being. Findings: Majority of the students considered academic related stressors to be the source of high stress which is followed by inter and intra-personal related stressors. Gender, educational period, school type, family socioeconomic status, and father’s education were associated with academic stress. Watching movies and comedies, prayer, sharing their problems with friends, with their parents and teachers were mostly adopted by the students for coping their stress. Conclusion: The students are primarily stressed by the inadequacy of proper support. There are many personal and social factors that contribute to Students stress. Lack of clarification and unavailability of right career consultants contribute to unidirectional objectives, and even after they graduate, students become clueless and vulnerable in their jobs. Keywords: Academic stress, College students, Source of stress, Effect of stress, Coping mechanisms.

Differences of sex development and surgical decisions: focus group interviews with health care professionals in Norway

ABSTRACT Background: Differences of Sex Development (DSD) are congenital conditions where the chromosomal, gonadal and anatomical sex characteristics do not strictly belong to male or female categories, or that belong to both at the same time. Surgical interventions for individuals with DSD remain controversial, among affected individuals, caregivers, and health-care providers. A lack of evidence in support of, for deferring, or for avoiding surgery complicates the decision-making process. This study explores Norwegian health-care professionals’ (HCPs) perspectives on decision-making in DSD-related surgeries and the dilemmas they are facing in this process. Methods: Focus group interviews with 14 HCPs integrated into or collaborating with multidisciplinary DSD teams were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Two overarching dilemmas shed light on the intricate considerations and challenges that HCPs encounter when guiding affected individuals and caregivers through surgical decision-making processes in the context of DSD. The first theme describes how shared decision-making was found to be influenced by fear of stigma and balancing the interplay between concepts of normality, personal experiences and external expectations when navigating the child’s and caregivers’ needs. The second theme illuminated dilemmas due to a lack of evidence-based practice. The core concepts within each theme were the dilemmas health-care professionals face during consultations with caregivers and affected individuals. Conclusion: HCPs were aware of the controversies with DSD-related surgeries. However, they struggled to reconcile knowledge with parents’ wishes for surgery and faced dilemmas making decisions in the best interests of the child. This study draws attention to the benefits of increased knowledge on the consequences of performing or withholding surgery as well as incorporating tools enabling shared decision-making between HCPs and affected individuals/caregivers.

Exploring Code-Switching Practices in Vietnamese Classrooms: An Introductory Investigation

This study delves into the nuanced practice of code-switching (CS) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms in Vietnam, examining its implications for language learning from both educators' and learners' perspectives. Through a mixed-methods approach, involving surveys and interviews with 225 ESL students and 8 experienced ESL lecturers at a renowned public university in Ho Chi Minh City, this research illuminates the multifaceted role of CS in enhancing comprehension, engagement, and linguistic proficiency. The findings reveal a general preference among students for a balanced use of English and Vietnamese, underscoring the pedagogical value of strategic CS in facilitating understanding and reducing the affective filter in language learning. Educators' narratives highlight the benefits and challenges of CS in maintaining English exposure while accommodating diverse learner needs. The study also uncovers emerging issues, such as the impact of digital and online learning environments on CS practices and the influence of external expectations on educators' language use decisions. By integrating insights from existing literature, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between language use and educational outcomes in bilingual settings, advocating for flexible, learner-centered teaching approaches that accommodate the evolving landscape of language education.

Lost years, mortality burden: the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on premature death due to road traffic accidents in a northern state in Malaysia

BackgroundThis study addresses the persistent global burden of road traffic fatalities, particularly in middle-income countries like Malaysia, by exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Road Traffic Accident (RTA) fatalities in Perak state, Malaysia, with a secondary focus on applying Years of Life Lost (YLL) to understand the implications of these premature deaths.MethodologyThe cross-sectional study retrospectively reviewed certified RTA fatalities from 2018 to 2021, individually counting fatalities in accidents and excluding cases with incomplete death profiles. Data were collected from all Forensic Departments in the government hospitals in Perak. RTA fatalities were confirmed by medical officers/physicians following established procedures during routine procedures. A total of 2517 fatal accident and victim profiles were transcribed into data collection form after reviewing death registration records and post-mortem reports. Inferential analyses were used for comparison between pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic. The standard expected YLL was calculated by comparing the age of death to the external standard life expectancy curve taking into consideration of age and gender in Malaysia.ResultsThis study included 2207 (87.7%) of the RTA fatalities in Perak State. The analysis revealed a decreasing trend in RTA deaths from 2018 to 2021, with a remarkable Annual Percent Change (APC) of -25.1% in 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic year in 2019 and remained stable with lower APC in 2021. Comparison between pre-pandemic (2018–2019) and pandemic years (2020–2021) revealed a difference in the fatality distribution with a median age rise during the pandemic (37.7 (IQR: 22.96, 58.08) vs. 41.0 (IQR: 25.08, 61.00), p = 0.002). Vehicle profiles remained consistent, yet changes were observed in the involvement of various road users, where more motorcycle riders and pedestrian were killed during pandemic (p = 0.049). During pandemic, there was a decline in vehicle collisions, but slight increase of the non-collision accidents and incidents involving pedestrians/animals (p = 0.015). A shift in accident from noon till midnight were also notable during the pandemic (p = 0.028). YLL revealed differences by age and gender, indicating a higher YLL for females aged 30–34 during the pandemic.ConclusionThe decline in RTA fatalities during COVID-19 pandemic underscores the influence of pandemic-induced restrictions and reduced traffic. However, demographic shifts, increased accident severity due to risky behaviors and gender-specific impacts on YLL, stress the necessity for improved safety interventions amidst evolving dynamics.

ESG activity recognition enhances organizational commitment and service-oriented organizational citizenship behavior among insurance call center staff

Service-oriented organizational citizenship behavior refers to service workers' helping, cooperating, sharing, and donating actions that benefit others at a cost to themselves. Based on ethical climate theory, this research investigates whether corporations adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management enhance service-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (SO OCB) among service employees. A total of 230 surveys were collected from call center workers in the insurance industry, and STATA 14.0 was used to analyze the 204 responses with useable data. The results show that employees' recognized ESG activities enable SO OCB through organizational commitment. Additionally, ESG activity recognition has a positive relationship with self-efficacy and empowerment, which helps service employees regulate external expectations. Thus, this finding is significant for call center workers experiencing emotional labor. Furthermore, the results suggest that firms can contribute to employees' SO OCB by practicing ESG activities. Firms should inform employees of their ESG management efforts as employees' recognition of an ethical climate can enhance their willingness to perform service-oriented behavior. Finally, ESG activity recognition can increase employees’ organizational commitment, an important predictor of employee satisfaction and negative turnover rates.

Exploring Code-Switching Practices in Vietnamese Classrooms: An Introductory Investigation

This study delves into the nuanced practice of code-switching (CS) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms in Vietnam, examining its implications for language learning from both educators' and learners' perspectives. Through a mixed-methods approach, involving surveys and interviews with 225 ESL students and 8 experienced ESL lecturers at a renowned public university in Ho Chi Minh City, this research illuminates the multifaceted role of CS in enhancing comprehension, engagement, and linguistic proficiency. The findings reveal a general preference among students for a balanced use of English and Vietnamese, underscoring the pedagogical value of strategic CS in facilitating understanding and reducing the affective filter in language learning. Educators' narratives highlight the benefits and challenges of CS in maintaining English exposure while accommodating diverse learner needs. The study also uncovers emerging issues, such as the impact of digital and online learning environments on CS practices and the influence of external expectations on educators' language use decisions. By integrating insights from existing literature, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between language use and educational outcomes in bilingual settings, advocating for flexible, learner-centered teaching approaches that accommodate the evolving landscape of language education.

Longitudinal study examining academic expectation stress and distrust for Chinese adolescents: The roles of internalizing problems and hope

AbstractDistrust in social interaction is linked to health issues during adolescence, ranging from loneliness to aggression engagement. Previous research has attempted to elucidate the decline in trust from the perspective of perceived pressures, yet the understanding of how academic‐related pressures are related to distrust among adolescents is still limited. This 1‐year longitudinal study aims to examine the psychological mechanism underlying the relationship between academic expectation stress (i.e., the stress due to the external and internal expectations of academic performance) and the development of adolescent distrust. A total of 1992 Chinese adolescents in 7th and 8th grades completed measures of academic expectation stress, distrust, internalizing problems (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression), and hope in a two‐wave longitudinal study (Time 1: December 2020; Time 2: December 2021; 54.42% girls; Mage at Time 2 = 14.02, SD = .76). Results showed that higher academic expectation stress at Time 1 predicted distrust 1 year later through increased internalizing problems. The relationship between academic expectation stress and later distrust as well as the longitudinal mediating effects of internalizing problems were stronger for adolescents with lower hope, whereas the total effect, direct effect, and mediation effects were nonsignificant for those with higher hope. The present study suggests that stressful academic expectations may impact adolescents’ intention to trust others, and highlights the protective role of hope in the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents who encounter stress from academic expectations.

Navigating Motivation: Freshmen’s Quest for English Proficiency in Taiwanese University Contexts

English language proficiency is crucial in today’s globalized world, prompting Taiwanese universities to mandate one to four years of English courses. With the implementation of a national bilingual education program for college students, universities aim to enhance English proficiency through Freshman English courses, facilitating a smooth transition to English-mediated instruction in subsequent years, particularly in specialized subjects. Despite the official emphasis on English’s importance for future success, the effectiveness of language instruction hinges on understanding students’ motivations. This study investigates English learning motivations among Taiwanese undergraduates, utilizing a Likert-scale questionnaire to discern general trends. The sample comprises 360 undergraduates from a northern Taiwanese university, with factor analysis revealing five motivational factors: intrinsic appreciation, instrumental motivation, external expectations motivation, exam-driven motivation, and interpersonal influence. These findings offer valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of English language learning motivations among Taiwanese freshmen, contributing to existing literature by highlighting nuanced motivational factors. The identified motivational factors hold implications for both theoretical understanding and pedagogical approaches, providing educators with insights to tailor instruction to students’ diverse motivations. This study aims to enrich the discourse on language learning motivation and serve as a foundation for future research in similar contexts.

Efforts of the Government and the National Commission on Human Rights in Dealing with the Paniai Case: Problems of the Unfinished Grassroots

This article discusses the roles of the government and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in handling severe human rights violation cases in Paniai, Papua. The purpose of this article is to determine whether the National Commission on Human Rights handled the severe human rights violations in Paniai optimally. The article employs a qualitative research method as a research procedure that generates descriptive data in the form of written or oral words from individuals or things observed. For gathering information, interviews were used along with different types of literature, like journals, to look at the steps that the National Commission on Human Rights took and news stories from different media outlets about how they dealt with serious human rights violations in Paniai. This article uses the theory of institutional and institutional roles to examine the roles played by the National Commission on Human Rights. The research findings indicate that handling the severe human rights violation cases in Paniai creates problematic situations between the government and civilians. First, the National Commission on Human Rights attempts to adapt to external and social expectations. Second, the formation of an order between the majority and minority in the uniformity pattern of witness elements during the investigation stage conducted by the Attorney General. Other challenges include the back-and-forth return of investigation files, which hinders the process of handling the Paniai case by the National Commission on Human Rights.